Neurodiversity Celebration Week is either like a big, awesome party or a reserved quiet space for those who need it for the different ways our brains work! Cognitive diversity or neurodiversity is a way of grouping all of us together; being neurodivergent is a way of describing those people with brains that process things in a way that is not typical to most (although research is starting to show that neurodivergent people might actually be in the majority!).

Taking place from 18th - 24th March it’s a time to discuss, reflect, celebrate and embrace the variety of neurological differences in our community. Founded back in 2018 by Siena Castellon, the aim was to change the way learning differences are perceived, switch the narrative and create a balanced view focusing on talents and strengths as opposed to challenges. During this week in 2024 there will be more panel discussions than ever before, all focusing on key neurodiversity themes, all of which are so important to the GEC. 

Our founder Nic Ponsford, is excited to be speaking on Tuesday, 19th March, on ‘Creating a Neuro-inclusive Classroom’ alongside inspirational speakers from a range of backgrounds and professions. Check out the panel for this conversation as well as the huge number of others happening at www.neurodiversityweek.com 

Ahead of this important week in the GEC calendar, we caught up with Caroline Keep - award-winning teacher, Autistic/ADHD Teacher/Data Scientist & founding GEC Collective Member to reflect on her involvement so far in the GEC Platform and our shared hopes for the future of EDI:

“I was thrilled when the Global Equality Collective (GEC) invited me to contribute a piece in honour of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Having been an integral part of the GEC community since its foundation, this opportunity made me reflect on the vast changes we've seen. It's astonishing to consider the evolution from our early days, sparked by Nic Ponsford's innovative idea to gather a network of EDI experts. The GEC was designed with neurodiversity at its core. Looking back, finding individuals with both lived experience and knowledge in neurodiversity was a rarity just a decade ago. Now, we boast a vibrant Collective of over 300+ EDI professionals.

It's equally heartening to witness our diverse student body and the contributions of expert educators, researchers, and advocates to our robust training programs, videos, and resources that span the entire spectrum of neurodiversity from early childhood to post-16 education. This progression represents a monumental leap forward, showcasing the power of dedicated educators to revolutionise support platforms.

Yet, our journey doesn't end here; we still have much ground to cover, including shining a light on the extraordinary contributions of neurodivergent heroes. I'm excited to introduce this new segment of the GEC KnowHow collection, featuring a curated selection of neurodivergent literature, films, apps, and resources accessible to all. Together with the broader GEC efforts, I hope this will enhance understanding and, more importantly, elevate the celebration of all forms of diversity. So, as a proud member of the Global Equality Collective, have a great week!”

KnowHow to celebrate Neurodiversity!

This week is not just about talking - it’s about putting in place better policies and practices that make everyone feel included and valued. With that in mind, we’ve delved into GECKnowHow, the biggest collection of DEI resources - for everyone, to highlight brilliant books, praiseworthy podcasts and tremendous TV shows. Read on for our Neurodiversity recommendations and if you’re looking for more information and support, check out the online resources listed below.

Online resources to support our neurodivergent children with a focus on mental health: 

• Molehill Mountain - www.autistica.org.uk/molehill-mountain

• Young Minds - www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/adhd 

• ADHD Foundation - www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/resources 

• ADDitiude - www.additudemag.com 

• Scope - www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/manage-stress-caring-for-disabled-child 

• Council for Disabled Children - councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/resources/all-resources/filter/emotional-wellbeing

And for our GEC Members, we have a wealth of resources in our GEC Library, including CPD for support your neurodivergent staff, hundreds of hours of videos on early years to school page ND training videos and, of course, one of our favourite eLearning modules, the GEC Playbook on Neurodiversity! All are included in your annual membership for all of your staff!

What neurodiversity resources will you be championing this week?

Connect with us on social media and share your suggestions today!

KnowHow is the biggest* collection of DEI resources ever - for everyone!

It’s our way of helping parents, teachers, carers and the wider education community to find material that supports our Inclusion Revolution. Follow us for the newest KnowHow collections, or share your best resources with us.